One of the highly-touted signing of the Philippine Superliga off-season, Jhoana Maraguinot finally made her debut with the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors.
Having missed the Lady Realtors’ entire 2018 Grand Prix campaign due to patellar instability in her right knee, Maraguinot suited up in Green and Gold for the first time in the 2018 Chooks to Go/Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference, Tuesday afternoon.
Although Sta. Lucia eventually lost in straight sets to the Smart Giga Hitters, Maraguinot was elated to be back on the court with her new squad.
“I’m happy despite the loss. Sobrang happy ko for myself because after six months nakalaro na ulit ako,” admitted the Batangas-native.
“Better naman ako now, way better than before. Maintenance na lang ngayon. I can’t say din na one-hundred percent there na ako.”
The perennial-UAAP Most Valuable Player candidate was far from her usual form, managing just six points against the Giga Hitters.
The 22-year-old understands that regaining her peak condition takes time, despite her team needing an immediate offensive boost.
“Sobrang gusto kong makabalik agad pero nire-remind din ako nila coach George (Pascua) na hindi ko puwedeng panggigilan. Hindi siya makukuha sa isang training lang,” the Ateneo product shared.
“Siyempre, kailangan ko rin alalayan kasi ipe-prevent ‘yung injury. I have to trust the process na I’ll get there to my desired form,” she added as the Lady Realtors are starting the AFC Cup without MJ Philipps and Toni Basas.
“I think we have equal roles dito. Unlike UAAP na senior ka so sa ‘yo mostly magde-depend, I think dito senior kaming lahat, so equal ‘yung distribution ng trabaho.”
